Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item F0400B: Resident Interview - Taking Care of Personal Belongings

MDS 3.0 Item F0400B: Resident Interview - Taking Care of Personal Belongings

Introduction

Purpose: The ability to take care of personal belongings is an important aspect of maintaining a resident’s sense of independence and dignity in long-term care settings. MDS Item F0400B assesses whether a resident has been interviewed about their preference for managing their personal belongings. Respecting the resident’s choices in this area supports a more personalized, person-centered care approach that enhances their comfort and satisfaction.

What is MDS Item F0400B?

Explanation: MDS Item F0400B is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item assesses whether the resident was asked about their preference for taking care of their personal belongings. For many residents, being able to manage their personal items—such as clothing, toiletries, or keepsakes—can promote a sense of control and self-respect. This item ensures that staff take into account the resident's preferences and abilities related to managing their belongings, fostering independence when possible.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0400B

Conducting the Interview: During the interview, ask the resident whether they like to take care of their personal belongings, or if they prefer assistance. Possible questions include:

• Do you prefer to manage your personal items yourself?
• Are there specific items you like to organize or take care of, such as clothes, toiletries, or personal memorabilia?
• Do you prefer assistance in taking care of your belongings, or do you want to manage them on your own?

The goal is to understand the resident’s preference for involvement in managing their personal items and how much independence they desire in this aspect of daily life.

Interview Techniques:

• Conduct the interview in a quiet and private setting where the resident feels comfortable discussing their preferences.
• Use simple, clear questions to gather information, and allow ample time for the resident to respond.
• For residents with communication challenges, involve family members or caregivers who are familiar with the resident’s preferences and habits.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0400B depends on whether the resident was asked about their preference for managing personal belongings. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: The resident was not asked about their preference for taking care of personal belongings or does not express a desire to manage them.
• 1 - Yes: The resident was asked about and expressed a preference for taking care of their personal belongings.

Example Scenario: If a resident expresses during the interview that they prefer to organize their clothes or manage their toiletries, and this preference is incorporated into their care plan, you would code F0400B as 1 - Yes. If the resident is not asked about their preference or chooses not to take care of their belongings, code 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Respecting Preferences: After the interview, ensure that the resident’s preferences for managing their personal belongings are respected. If they want to be actively involved in caring for their items, support them by allowing them to participate in organizing and maintaining their belongings.

Documentation: Accurately document the resident’s responses during the interview, noting their specific preferences for managing their personal items. If the resident cannot express their preference due to cognitive or communication challenges, involve family members or caregivers to gain insight into their preferences.

Communication: Share the resident’s preferences with the care team to ensure that these preferences are respected. This may involve allowing the resident to manage their belongings or providing assistance as requested, while maintaining the resident's dignity and independence.

Training: Provide staff with training on the importance of respecting residents’ preferences for personal belongings. Encourage staff to offer assistance when needed, while supporting the resident’s independence in managing their personal items.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0400B is important for determining whether residents are given the opportunity to manage their personal belongings, contributing to their sense of independence and dignity. Conducting this interview and accurately coding the item helps ensure that residents’ preferences are respected, improving their quality of life in a long-term care setting.

Click here to see a detailed Step-by-Step on how to complete this item set.

Reference

This guide is based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Page F-2.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0400B: "Resident Interview - Taking Care of Personal Belongings" was originally based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. Every effort will be made to update it to the most current version. The MDS 3.0 Manual is typically updated every October. If there are no changes to the Item Set, there will be no changes to this guide.

This guidance is intended to assist healthcare professionals, particularly new nurses or MDS coordinators, in understanding and applying the correct coding procedures for this item within MDS 3.0. Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice.